ASHEVILLE, NC – On Wednesday, February 22nd, five Asheville coffee shops will host the 1st annual Java for Justice event to raise money for, and awareness of, Pisgah Legal Services’ work to provide free legal aid to low income residents of Western North Carolina helping victims of domestic violence, seniors, disadvantaged children, and families facing homelessness.

Java for Justice hosts include: City Bakery at 60 Biltmore Avenue, Bruegger’s Bagels at 671 Merrimon Avenue, Mosaic Café in Biltmore Park Town Square, and West End Bakery at 757 Haywood Road in West Asheville and French Broad Chocolate Lounge at 10 S. Lexington Ave.

The Van Winkle Law Firm and Asheville Radio Group are partnering with Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) to make this event possible. Asheville Radio Group will run public service announcements across the 5-station platform (Mix 96.5, 98.1 the RIVER, 105.9 the Mountain, ESPN Radio 1310AM and 970AM) featuring families who have been helped by Pisgah Legal Services.

On February 22nd, radio personalities from Mix 96.5 and 98.1 The River together with ambassadors from Pisgah Legal Services will be on-site for remote broadcasts from each coffee shop location to provide information and accept donations. For events details or ways to donate to Java for Justice, visit www.Mix965Asheville.com. Each of the four coffee shops have generously donated to the cause and will be accepting donations for Pisgah Legal Services from February 18th through February 24th.

Donations allow PLS to help more people like Linda Gipson, a 64-year-old grandmother, who has been caring for her disabled brother, Eddie, for most of her life. Linda’s husband left her because of the stress of caring for Eddie and she struggled to make mortgage payments. She faced losing the Arden home her family has owned since the 1920’s.

PLS attorney Bill Whalen helped Linda stop the foreclosure and secure a loan modification so that she could afford to stay in her home. In the meantime, Linda secured her GED so that she qualifies to serve as an aide to Eddie and will receive some payment for the care she provides.

Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit that has provided free civil legal aid to low-income people in WNC for more than 34 years. PLS helps more than 12,000 people annually meet their basic needs providing protection from domestic violence, avoiding homelessness, finding safe housing, and accessing health care and subsistence income. PLS has 18 attorneys on staff, and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of 300+ volunteer attorneys and the help of more than fifty office volunteers. PLS’ main service area includes six counties in Western North Carolina, with offices in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Spindale. For more information, call Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or toll free at 800-489-6144 or go to www.pisgahlegal.org.

Asheville Radio Group is Western North Carolina’s leading radio advertising company, reaching thousands of listeners every week on the world-class radio stations of Mix 96.5, 105.9 The Mountain, 98.1 the RIVER and ESPN Radio 1310 & 970.